Tennessee State running back Telvin Hooks was named to the 2012 Jerry Rice Award Watch List on Wednesday, which honors the FCS' national freshman of the year.

The redshirt freshman from Edgewater, Fla., has rushed for at least 66 yards in four of his first five games, highlighted by 108 yards and two touchdowns against Arkansas-Pine Bluff this past Saturday in a 40-13 Tigers victory.

Hooks has totaled 374 yards (on 6.4 yards per carry) and two touchdowns in the season-opening stretch. He is also the only player from the OVC nominated and one of 16 players in the nation on the list.

The Rice Award, named for legendary wide receiver Jerry Rice, who played in the FCS (then Division I-AA) at Mississippi Valley State, will be voted on by a national panel of sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries following the regular season. The winner will be announced at the FCS national banquet on Dec. 17 in Philadelphia.

Hooks and TSU return to the field this Saturday as they face #16 Eastern Kentucky at 1 p.m. at Hale Stadium.